Epistemology in our Nation's Capital

Epistemology in our nation’s capital.

This $999 word is the name for a philosophical field of endeavor that has as its objective the understanding of knowledge. What is knowledge? How is knowledge acquired? It is a topic studied by some of the greatest minds in the world. One of the great philosophers of the 20th century, Karl R. Popper, wrote a book about the epistemology of science. The title of that book is “The logic of scientific discovery.” Even A. Einstein took an interest in some of Popper’s views, and made some suggestions for Popper’s book.

From these introductory comments, it may seem that epistemology is far removed from us in our day to day lives, and need not occupy our least attention. Actually, we all use knowledge constantly, and we are trapped in our own personal epistemologies. And when we are witness to people behaving strangely, the strange factor may be due to the fact that we do not grasp their epistemology. If their epistemology is truly different from ours, then they think we are the ones behaving strangely.

World View

World View

My World View is the foundation of my epistemology. My World View constantly yells in my ear: do no harm, keep your dignity, don’t get tricked, check facts, how can I earn some more money?, check your appearance, beware. The World View of those in the seat of power is at loggerheads with my own, so it is then that I think they behave strangely. In turn, they think I behave strangely. Collectives are at the forefront of their World View, but in my World View, collectives and aardvarks are in the same compartment. I do not belong to one of their approved collectives, so to those in power, I am a weirdo. I wish for all people to keep the fruits of their labor, and not to interfere in each others lives, that each and all should be in charge of his/her Things: their own lives, their own property, and their own dignity. My views baffle those in the seat of power; they can’t grasp how an individual might reject a collective, a collective that will confer power upon the individual. They think: ”How can you reject power? Are you crazy?”

World View in an individual is formed in the tender years of existence, at home, mostly, but later in life, by education and the culture in which one is immersed. Personality and world view are joined together: Pancho Terrible and Polyanna have greatly different World Views, but personalities that conform to each of their World Views. To read more about World View/personality, please go to: inhibitedvsuninhibited-personalities.blogspot.com.

The Role of Theory

The Role of Theory

A staple of epistemology is THEORY. As a matter of fact, every move we make in moving from the present into our immediate future is based on a theory. When we tie our shoes in the morning, we do it based on a vision, a theory, of the type of knot we wish to make. Do we make the classic two loops with the attendant two loose ends, either which can be used to undo the knot? Or for security reasons use a square knot? The square knot is troublesome to undo, but it unlikely to become untied. A soldier headed out on patrol is likely to select a square knot. The vision,i.e., theory, he uses when getting ready for patrol is wholly different from the vision he uses when he dons his dress uniform for marching in the Sunday parade.

We move from the present to the future by the use of theories. If my car has had difficulty starting in the morning, I may think: If it starts, I’ll drive to the service station. If it doesn’t, I’ll call the “triple A.” I set my alternative courses of action as a pair of propositions (theories) that will result in different futures.

To determine whether a theory is true or false, it must be tested. The test for starting the auto is to turn the ignition key.

Currently, the popular theory in Washington, and in the lap-dog media, is that “Capitalism is a failure.” Another popular theory is that anyone who opposes Obama is a racist. Another popular theory is that Republicans and Democrats are all the same, because they are politicians. “Not a dime’s worth of difference.” These theories are all false, of course, and are purposely disseminated to confuse the common citizen.

A key feature of epistemology, one that puts great perspective on all human activities, is the fact that all knowledge is based on trial and error. This is true for all mankind; for all time. To learn more about Knowledge go to http://knowledge-and-understanding.blogspot.com.